Could you use 75 Ways to Politely Interrupt a Conversation as you learn to become an amazing American English speaker? Even as we learn new ways to speak English comfortably like a native, it's important to never forget to use our manners! To be a successful American English speaker, it is essential to always address others politely and to be sure to measure your words and interventions carefully.
When can I stop?
A good rule of thumb when you're not 100% sure is to look around and listen for the words, phrases or sounds they use to interrupt a conversation.
Good places to stop a conversation are:
- When the speaker pauses for breath
- When the speaker finishes a sentence or sentence.
- When you have a good point to make, it would contribute positively to the discussion (be sure to time your time carefully, so as not to be rude!)
It's also important to be prepared! Don't interrupt if you have nothing to say. Give your interruption a purpose and form your comment in your head before you interrupt. You will be most satisfied as an English speaker when you can successfully interrupt a conversation and make your own contribution, appreciating the natural ebb and flow of American English.
75 ways to politely end a conversation
Here's a complete list of ways to interrupt a conversation that will allow you to jump in and speak your mind while still being polite to the other members of the conversation.
These cover a variety of functions, including: attention grabbers (#1-12), phrases that add information (#13-18), phrases that clearly state that you want to interrupt (#19-30), phrases that allow you to skip or join a conversation (#31-36), phrases that are particularly useful in meetings or classroom situations (#37-40), phrases that require clarification (#41-47), phrases that require time (#48 - 56), interjections to share your opinion (#57-63 and #67-72), interruptions that allow you to bring other people into the conversation (#64-66, this is a great way to encourage others who are silent or not so sure about joining a conversation) and sentences that can be used to interrupt (#73-75).
attention grabbers
This is a category of words that have no meaning, but are often used to get people's attention.
1. Clear your throat
2. Mmm...
3. Mmm…
4. Ah…
5. Oh…
6. Bueno…
7. So…
8. Hi… (Note that this is a bit simple, so only use this with people you are good friends with.)
9. Using the other person's name (eg "James, that's a great idea!")
10. Children... (Can be used on a group of men or women or a combination of both!)
11. Ladies and Gentlemen... (This would be the formal version of "Guys", it should be used in formal situations or when trying to be funny in an informal situation).
12. Everyone... (eg "Everyone, I think that's a great idea!")
Add information
Would you like to contribute additional information to someone else's thought or argument? Try these!
13. I have to add something here...
14. Can I say something here? (By using this phrase, you don't have to wait for others to answer your question, and you can continue with the comment you want to make.)
15. May I add…
16. I would like to add…
17. Let me add something...
18. That reminds me... (For this, you would like to tell a related or related story or information. For example, "That reminds me, we have to prepare the report for next week.")
Do you need to pause?
Can't wait any longer? Other speakers not allowing others to speak? Use these phrases!
19. Let me pause for a second…
20. Sorry to interrupt, but...
21. I don't mean to interrupt, but... (Although you technically mean to interrupt, this is just a polite way of interrupting that works best when you have something to say quickly before the conversation changes, or when other members, the conversation is in deep discussion , but you would like your opinion to be heard).
22. Sorry to interrupt, but...
23. Can I stop you there for a moment?
24. Can I come in for a second? (Yes, it's spelled as a word used to refer to a person's back-end, but in this case it literally means "stop"!)
25. Can I mention something?
26. Sorry to interrupt, but...
27. Excuse me, I would like to say something.
28. Sorry to intrude, but...
29. Wait a minute, I'd like to…
Hop!
claim yourself! Don't be afraid to join the conversation.
30. Let me jump…
31. Do you mind if I jump in here?
32. Can I jump here?
33. Do you mind if I come in here?
34. I don't mean to pry, but... (Like #19, this works best when you're trying to contribute to a conversation you're not already a part of, like when you hear something and want to join their conversation.)
35. I don't mean to be rude, but...
36. Can I intervene?
professional environment
Need a less straightforward way to quit? Try using these.
37. Before moving on to the next point, may I add…?
38. Before I continue, I would like to say something.
39. Before I continue, I would like to say something.
40. Excuse me (This leans more towards formal forms of interruption, but can also be used as a nice way to say "I'm sorry" in chat situations or even when you're out and need someone to get away from you.)
Question for clarification
Still unsure or not clear enough about someone else's point of view? Take a look at these examples. These are great phrases to try in a classroom setting!
41. Could you clarify that?
42. Excuse me, can you explain this a little more?
43. Do you mean that…? (When using this phrase, you should continue to summarize what the person has already said to make sure you understand them correctly. For example, "Do you mean you think it's a good idea?")
44. Will you tell us a little more about it?
45. Could you clarify this last point before continuing?
46. Would you like to explain a little more?
47. Could you explain this more fully?
ask for time
American English speakers are known to speak fast. If you find it difficult to follow or gather your thoughts, you should not hesitate to ask the other speakers for more time. You want to be polite, but you also want to have enough time to make a coherent argument!
48. Wait...
49. One moment...
50. Wait, what about...?
51. Can we pause for a second?
52. Let's see…
53. A quick thing...
54. Just one thing...
55. Just let me tell you…
56. Listen...
Share your opinion
Trust your opinion! If you feel strong in one way or another, don't be shy and share it with your interlocutors.
57. I think…
58. I agree...
59. I disagree...
60. I do not agree.
61. I'm not sure about that.
62. This is great!
63. This is interesting! (Keep in mind that your tone matches your intent with her. The way you say it can be taken as a genuine feeling of appreciation or instead as a sarcastic comment that means the opposite.)
bring others
Do the other members of the conversation seem shy or very quiet or won't let you say a word? Use these phrases to politely turn the conversation around so everyone has their say!
64. What do you think, James? (Don't forget to replace James with the real name of the person you're talking to!)
65. What do you think, Jaime?
66. Jaime, do you agree?
Other ways to share your opinion
Do you still need to confirm your point more? Try these!
67. As far as I'm concerned...
68. Personally, I think…
69. The way I see it...
70. Right.
71. Right.
72. Actually…
I make a suggestion
Offering suggestions is a polite way to end a discussion or point of thought, or to allow other points to be explored. Use them if you need to add some creativity or action plans to the conversation!
73. It would be interesting…
74.Why not...
75. How about…
What happens after 75?
The more vocabulary you learn, the more ways you'll learn to form stop phrases that suit your own style.We highly recommend that you practice using these ways to interrupt to build confidence in your conversation and interrupting skills!Of course, you DO NOT have to say any of these words or phrases! You can just say what you want to say. Just talk and enter into a conversation.
These 75 words and phrases can really help you engage in and manage difficult conversations with people who talk too fast or too loudly, or who rarely give others time to contribute to a conversation. Sometimes you just have to jump in and get it yourself. So be brave, don't be afraid, and learn how to use some (if not all!) of these amazing 75 words and phrases to interrupt any American English conversation. You deserve to be part of the conversation and other people want to. So don't be shy, go ahead today!
And remember, being kind is FREE! 🙂
Click on the video below for Gabby's tips!
For more videos:Go Natural English YT
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